Living with your diagnosis - what's next?

Aside from managing the physical aspects of diabetes, it is also important to be aware of the effects of diabetes on your emotional health. Tackling type 2 diabetes head-on can be stressful and overwhelming, and ignoring these negative feelings can make the physical and emotional problems worse. Emotional well-being and physical health are closely connected in diabetes, so it is vital that you take care of both.

• Depression/Anxiety It's normal to feel low occasionally, but persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness need to be addressed as they can prevent good diabetes self-care
• Stress Stress causes your blood sugar levels to rise as your body releases stored glucose supplies into your bloodstream in preparation for 'fight or flight'
• Sleep problems Poor sleeping habits and not getting enough sleep can also negatively impact your blood sugar levels

Getting the support you need from your healthcare team, family and friends is a critical part of managing your diabetes. Remember, reaching out for help is not a sign of weakness, but a sign that you are proactively taking control of type 2 diabetes.

Stress is extremely common when you have type 2 diabetes, but you can do something about it. Meet Ken, who is living with type 2 diabetes. After making the connection between stress and his blood sugar numbers, Ken learned to reduce his stress levels in order to improve his blood sugar control and overall health.

Hear Ken talk about his experiences with stress, fluctuating numbers and hypos.